VPFAL Monthly Action Guide: April 2026

This post contains some reminders of key deadlines and administrative tasks related to academic HR. Please share with faculty or staff who would find this information relevant. 

Please contact the VPFAL Programming team at vpfal.prof.dev@utoronto.ca to be added to the distribution list, or with any questions. 

Visiting Faculty

  • If you plan to invite non-Canadian academics or researchers to campus, even if those who won’t be paid, you must work with your Dean’s Office or HR office to issue appropriate invitation or appointment letters.
  • You must also confirm your Faculty’s protocol submission to Faculty Immigration (faculty.immigration@utoronto.ca). Due to the volume of requests received, we triage the processing based on urgency (posted immigration processing times, citizenship, and start date). Once the urgent requests are processed, we use a “first in, first out” model.
  • Immigration work permit processing times continue to be long (an average of 18 weeks for those who also need a Canadian visa). We suggest starting the process at least six months in advance of the start date or discussing with your Dean’s office a start date that will accommodate the processing time.
  • Please contact Faculty Immigration (faculty.immigration@utoronto.ca) if you have questions.
  • You are encouraged to review U of T’s safeguarding research resources and consult the VPRI Research Security Team (RST) (researchsecurity@utoronto.ca) when considering visiting faculty appointments. The RST can guide you through the research security implications of visiting researchers for Canadian and Ontario government funding requirements.

Changing US Requirements & Reminder to Register for International SOS

  • In general, before planning any trip, please ensure you have reviewed the most current information available by country through the Government of Canada’s travel advisories.  
  • Recent updates to U.S. border procedures and traveller documentation requirements may affect faculty members travelling to the United States.  
    • Additional travel resource: Dentons Canada has published a recent overview of current U.S. border practices and traveller obligations for Canadians. Faculty travelling to the United States may find it a helpful information resource when preparing for upcoming travel.  
    • Staying aware of evolving U.S. procedures: The Dentons guide summarizes publicly available information on topics such as preclearance, inspection practices (including devices), and requirements that may apply to longer stays. While the University cannot provide U.S. immigration advice, faculty may wish to review this resource to stay informed about evolving U.S. border processes. 
  • To ensure access to critical support while travelling for work, faculty members, librarians, and staff are encouraged to register for the International SOS program, which provides 24/7 travel assistance at no cost. 
  • If you have questions or concerns regarding upcoming work-related travel, please contact:

Probationary Review (Teaching Stream)

  • Teaching stream faculty coming forward for their probationary review should be notified of their upcoming review “normally no later than May 1” and given a deadline for submission of their dossier (and “will not normally be required to complete the submission prior to June 30”) (PPAA, VII.30.vii).
  • See AAPM section on Probationary Review.

Interim Review (Tenure Stream)

  • Tenure stream faculty members should have their performance “reviewed no earlier than May 1 of the third year of [their] contract … Normally no later than 30th June, the appointee should be asked to submit an account of research or creative professional activity which has been completed or undertaken since the time of initial appointment … The appointee will not normally be required to complete the submission prior to August 31” (PPAA, II.8).
  • See AAPM section on Interim Review.

Tenure Review

Retirement Notice

Please share this information with your faculty

Save the Date: 2026 Retreat for New Academic Administrators

  • The Retreat for New Academic Administrators takes place on June 22-24, 2026 at the Faculty Club on St George campus.
  • Newly appointed Chairs; Graduate Chairs; Directors; Deans; and Vice and Associate Deans with portfolios related to faculty, academics, and graduate education will receive an invitation in the coming months.
  • We recommend continuing academic administrator to attend sessions relevant to them. Registration details will be available closer to the date.

Save the Date: 2026 New Faculty & Librarian Orientation

  • The New Faculty & Librarian Orientation takes place on August 10 & 11, 2026 at the Faculty Club (on St George campus.
  • Faculty members who are appointed to the tenured/tenure stream and continuing stream teaching stream, and librarians will be sent an invitation in July.

Faculty Programming – April & May 2026

Highlighted below are the sessions occurring in the next two months. To see the complete list of scheduled workshops, please visit the VPFAL programming webpage. Please note that these sessions are not recorded nor are the slides shared.

Please share with your faculty.

Building the Momentum: Finding Your Post-Tenure Pathway

Date: March 31, 2026, 12.00-2.00pm
Location: Faculty Club, 41 Willcocks Street, Toronto (in-person)
Moderator: Heather Boon, Vice Provost, Faculty & Academic Life

This interactive panel, intended for Associate Professors who achieved tenure between 2021-22 and 2024-2025, is a conversation about exploring post-tenure pathways. Experienced faculty will share how they navigated the immediate post-tenure period.

Register

Retirement Information Videos and Q&A Session

The retirement resources below are intended for faculty and librarians enrolled in the University Pension Plan, ages 54-72, who are thinking about retirement, who have entered phased retirement, or who have submitted their Notice of Intention to retire.

  • Resources (coming soon!): Retirement Information Pre-Recorded Video Series. These videos will cover the University Pension Plan (UPP), the University’s Phased Retirement Program, and retiree benefits.  Sign up to be notified when the videos are available.
  • Retirement Information Q&A Session: April 20, 2026, 1.00-3.00pm (online). This is a Q&A session only. Please review the pre-recorded videos in advance of the session. Register for the Q&A session.

NCFDD Programming

The National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD) offers on-demand access to programs and resources designed to help faculty members “achieve extraordinary writing and research productivity while maintaining a full and healthy life off campus”.

Activate your NCFDD membership to access webinars.

NCFDD Post-Tenure Pathfinders Program (PTP)

Registration is still open for the Summer 2026 Session of the NCFDD’s Post-Tenure Pathfinders Program.